Blends of low-calorie sweeteners like maltitol with polydextrose boosted gut microflora when formulated in chocolate with excellent tolerance, says a new study from the University of Reading.
St John's wort – best known for its ability to combat mild to medium depression – is being studied by the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for non-mental health benefits.
Prebiotic fibres may beneficially modify bacterial populations in our guts and aid weight management, with “promising effects also shown in humans”, says a new review of the science.
Morinaga Milk Industry has obtained GRAS with FDA non-objection for a probiotic strain that the Japanese firm has used in its own products for over 30 years.
The link between gut microflora populations and weight may also extend to pregnancy, with a new study revealing that women who gain excessive weight during pregnancy have different microfloral profiles.
Cranberry pomace, a by-product of the juicing process, may be extruded to produce a range of polyphenol-rich ingredients for use in supplements or functional foods, says a new study.
A cooling in the market for energy drinks and fortified waters have contributed to a growth slowdown in the $8.6bn US functional beverages market, according to market researcher Mintel.
Japanese probiotics pioneer, Yakult Honsha, will commence manufacturing its little probiotic dairy bottles in the US for the first time in 2012, the company has announced, as it seeks to move into eastern seaboard US states.
Adding inulin to white breads increases its nutrition quality but also accelerates the baking process and the crucial Maillard reaction, according to new research on the fibre.
Beverage manufacturers seeking to extend their health and wellness portfolio can now incorporate a clinical dose of an immune boosting probiotic strain to their refrigerated fruit juice range while keeping their all-natural positioning, claims Danisco.
Daily supplements of St John’s wort are not effective for improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic.
For a fruit that has had more science conducted on it than most, it is surprising to some that France remains the only country to have approved a long-standing cranberry health claim.
In the third part of our special series on cranberries, NutraIngredients looks at the science behind the reported health benefits of the little red berry.
In the first of a four part special edition focused on cranberries, NutraIngredients looks at the market for the berry, with its entrance into the indulgence sectors an indication perhaps that health positioning is no longer the sole driving force behind...
Probiotics should be considered as living drugs rather than “simple good bacteria” in order to become effective treatment options for IBS, according to Joseph Haddad, medical director of Institut Rosell-Lallemand.
Supplements of calcium and vitamin D may promote the health of the cells in the colon and rectum, offering potential protection from tumour development, says a new study.
An inulin-rich extract that also contains polyphenols and other bioactive compound is very well tolerated, says a new study from France that builds the science behind an emerging product.
US researchers have successfully transferred gut bacteria from obese humans to germ-free mice, a breakthrough that will allow a more detailed study of the link between gut microflora and obesity.
Danisco has started expansion of its cultures plant in Madison, Wisconsin, which it says responds to increased demand for direct vat inoculants (DVI) cultures in the US.
Companies active in the probiotics field are aiming to expand scientific knowledge of the relationship between probiotics, gastrointestinal microbiota and the body, with two new $50,000 research grants.
Beneo-Orafti has launched a liquid organic fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) called L58, offering companies a prebiotic ingredient for the rapidly growing organic sector.
Probiotics are to take centre stage in a new series of TV documentaries, the first of which will be screened next Fall on major TV channels in the United States, including Public Service Broadcasting outlets, National Geographic and Discovery, along with...
Increased intakes of resistant starch and wheat bran may improve regular bowel habits in healthy adults, say findings from a new study funded by Tate & Lyle.
Minnesota-based UAS Laboratories says at least three companies are selling probiotic products that fraudulently claim to contain its trademarked, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 strains.
Immune health from gut health is not too obscure for consumers, but work needs to be done on identifying the mechanisms involved, said the conclusions from a two-day meeting in Toulouse.
A daily shot of a probiotic milk drink may reduce inflammation and bleeding in the mouth linked to gingivitis and gum disease, says a new study from Germany.
Men are the next key target area for the growing probiotic market, says a new report, but they won’t be turned on by the same health messages as women.
Supplements of a prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture may reduce the incidence of travellers’ diarrhoea by about 34 per cent, says a new study from the UK.
The legal firm that mounted the class action against Dannon that resulted in a $35m out-of-court settlement, is one of several law firms that have mounted a similar action against another probiotic product, this time General Mills’ Yo-Plus.
Get your pitchforks ready! There are evil-doers out there! We’ve been conned: Probiotics don’t work. Dannon’s settling out of court, EFSA’s rejecting health claims, and the media is starting a witch hunt.
Reaction to Dannon’s $35m out-of-court probiotic settlement has been varied – from those accusing the company of scientific and marketing negligence to staunch defense of the company’s right to market products even when the science is not conclusive.
In HG Wells’ The War of the Worlds it is not the almighty weapons of humanity that defeated the invading Martians. It is a lack of immunity to the earth’s tiny pathogenic bacteria.
New areas of opportunity in the market for probiotics include formulating products specifically targeting men, and expanding to categories beyond gut health and immunity, according to Euromonitor.
Dannon’s out-of-court settlement of the $300m class action mounted against it the beginning of last year contains some interesting clauses such as the fact Dannon has only committed to altering its on-pack immunity marketing for three years.
Dannon is removing the word “immunity” from its DanActive probiotic drink on-package marketing after concluding an out-of-court settlement last week over alleged misleading probiotic claims.
The US FDA is being sued over its health claims regime – actions that are unlikely to succeed according to most pundits – but they raise serious questions about healthy food messaging and free speech that are being felt globally.
Probiotic firm Ganeden Biotech has launched a novel thin strip technology for the healthy bacteria, intended as an alternative supplement delivery system.
Ingredients giant, Danisco, has developed a processing technology it says “toughens up” probiotic cultures to extend high bioavailability shelf-life beyond five months.
Sufferers of celiac disease have significantly reduced antioxidant capacity, says a new study, and could need natural antioxidants and appropriate dietary supplements.
As the most recently defined category of biotics, postbiotics hold significant potential for innovation across a wide variety of applications in the Health...
A new clinical trial evaluated 250mg/day Pomella® for beneficial effects on the gut microbiome, circulating short chain fatty acids, and gut-microbial...
